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I AM WORKING TO BECOME A BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE LEADER
I have struggled with how best to convey my regret in letting so many down, and in that regard I realize this op-ed does not do justice to the process of saying “I am sorry.” A handwritten note or phone call would ultimately be more appropriate, but given the number of people I need to apologize to I write this to begin the journey of trying to get things more right with you and others.
It is true that I did wrong and failed at the largest of levels, but equally true is the fact that God can make good of our respective wrongs in life. In this vein, while none of us has the chance to attend our own funeral, in many ways I feel like I was at my own in the past weeks, and surprisingly I am thankful for the perspective it has afforded.
If you ever have the misfortune of being at this point, whether self-induced as in my case or not, it will give you an indeed amazing perspective on life and on what really matters. I read notes from someone who worked in a sandwich shop I ate at ten years ago, from 7th grade classmates, from state employees and more. While there have been lifetimes of lessons learned over the past weeks, three things most immediately come to mind.
One, forgiveness and grace really do matter. I used to believe that at an intellectual level, now it is at the level of heart. Over my life I have not given enough of either, and yet given all the ways in which my failings have come to light, I write to apologize for, in the most profound of ways, letting you and so many others down. In life it’s always the people closest to us that we hurt the most, and given my standing of public trust, I know I’ve hurt many across our state. I apologize for this, and more than anything would ask for your forgiveness going forward.
Two, life is indeed about way more than public standing or political views, it’s about recognizing that none of us are the arbiters of truth, that there are moral absolutes, and that there is a God to whom we will all report for our actions. My failure has been most glaring on this front, where no public apology can make wrong right. As a consequence, it is on this plane that I’ve grown the most over the past weeks – and where I’m committed to growing the most going forward.
I’ve been humbled and broken as never before in my life and as a consequence have given up areas of control in a way that I never have before – and it is my belief that this will make me a better father, husband, friend and advocate.
It’s in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience to both trust God in his larger work of changing me, and from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader.
In this regard I think all that has transpired will be particularly relevant in the way I deal with the legislative body and other state leaders going forward. Micah 6:8 asks us to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly, and as I begin these steps into the last 18 months of this administration, it will indeed be with a more contrite and humble spirit.
I’ve realized that as much as I have and will continue to advocate for things ranging from restructuring to responsible spending to school choice, my approach needs to be less about my will and more about looking for ways to more humbly present the greater principals and ideas at play. It needs to be less strident and more about finding ways to work with legislative leaders to advance the ideas so many of us believe in. It means less time fighting the tide – and a greater awareness of the fact that God controls it. In working with a few alterations to my approach, I think this could be a far more productive last session than the one that would have been had the tragedy that has unfolded not occurred, and in turn, people’s lives can be made better.
Finally it is at your funeral that you in many ways not only can see most clearly the things that really matter in life, but where one gets the best glimpse of who your real friends are – and how much they matter. For that reason, I want to thank so many for their kindnesses and support over the years and for their kindness in this latest chapter in our book together as South Carolinians.
I’m sure I’m going to get my ass kicked for pointing out that we’ve heard this all before, with Bible verses thrown in to help sell what he’s been hustling, but I guess someone’s got to do it.
Just what exactly is going to be different about this time, compared to all the other times that he’s said this?
Nothing.
Year eight will be like all the other ones, only it’ll be harder for him to sneak out of town next year. Bet on it.
Governor Sanford,
What you have been doing for quite sometime is wrong. I am the person most hurt by all of your actions Sir and I am totally aware of that. I’ve been aware since you took the first trip, that you are the source of all of my problems over the past four miserable years. I am going to address that right here publicly as the issues deserve to be addressed publicly. Other citizens have a right to know what you did to me.
You know I have the misfortune of being in a worse situation than you because of you Sir. I’m happy you read notes, emails and letters now. Will you read mine?Finally??? Better yet, will you answer appropriately, humanely and with decency, with some of that mercy I have been begging for for four years? Please.
I forgive you but I am loosing my home. You aren’t even loosing your job. I have lost my right to healthcare because of your lack of intervention despite me begging you and every other government employee. I’ve lost my dignity, my life savings, my parents life savings, all because of your beliefs and lack of actions in my behalf.
Forgiveness- well, you deserve it because God said to do it. Because God loves you but he also loves me and he loves me just as much as you despite what C Street has taught you. He doesn’t think you are better than the rest of the South Carolinians. We are all truly equal in God’s eyes. He wants you to know that Sir. He wants you back at Seacoast or at the Episcopal church here in town. Those are “real” churches Sir where God works, speaks, acts. That’s where you’ll find forgiveness.
You see, that Family you went to for counseling, well they do not share the values of the people of South Carolina, the people you supposedly represent.
You need to tell the people of South Carolina about the line in your unfaithful press conference where you spoke to the fiduciary responsibility to the people of SC. You have a responsibility to me as the Governor of my state to set my matters straight, to address this fiduciary responsibility with honesty.
You won’t get out of it Sir. I won’t let you. Like you have not let me move forward for the past four miserable years.
I’m glad you chose a public forum where I can air these issues with you. You have egregiously affected my life Sir, not to mention almost putting two wonderful people, a gentleman 89 years old and wiser than you and I put together and an elderly lady 83 who doesn’t deserve to have to live your wierdo views of life, out on the street.
You’d do that to them because their adult daughter is sick, with a lifetime illness. An illness you probably don’t believe in but an illness nevertheless that has caused those two people to spend every single retirement dime on. An illness that is killing me, an illness that is going without treatment because you don’t think honoring administrative decisions from the past is appropriate. You are wrong. You may be Governor but you do not set law Sir. You do have a responsibility to make sure people are following the law.
Which brings me to being the only person in America who is denied all law enforcement services. You have denigrated me to second class citizen, right in front of everyone’s eyes. People are watching Sir. It appears you don’t think much of the disabled community in the state. You are required to change that view today Sir. .We the disabled deserve the same rights as you based on the Constitution of the United States of America. It’s what makes America different from Nazi Germany and Governor, I have felt like I have been living in Nazi Germany or the old Soviet Union under ” your rule”. Mercy, well I have been begging Sir
Your Social Security system does not work Governor. My private Social Security account is at Fidelity Investments and we got to get this straight. I deserve closure too. I deserve to be treated with the same respect you get Governor.
You must help me straighten this out and stop ignoring this elephant in the room.
Privatizing Social Security in Argentina caused the crash Governor. America is in a crash. Again, I have this private Social Security account and privatization is your pet project. If you did this, you stole my identity and created a world of hell for me on top of my catastrophic illness. You basically murdered me but I didn’t die yet.
You’d be horrified if one of your precious sons were treated like I have been treated by a Governor.
And you’d probably be doing what I am doing right here and now, responding.
You humbled me beyond words, you threw me in a pit. I don’t think you have suffered anything like I have suffered Sir not that , that is the point. Four years of misery on top of being sick, living in a home packed in boxes because of being frightened of people like you , going without healthcare because I am sick, being threatened and harassed and humiliated. Nope you have not met suffering yet Sir.
Your apology is accepted but be warned that actions speak louder than words Sir. You have actions that must be taken in my behalf. You beg for mercy, so do I. Do you hear me?? Can I breathe yet? Is it over Governor Sanford?
Because I cannot live like this a day longer. I am miserable because of your past actions and lack thereof.
You want mercy from the people of this state, SHOW MERCY. It’s required. It’s time to be honest. You don’t move forward or anywhere else without being honest.
We have a big mess in our state and it’s sitting in your office Sir. People outside of the state know all about it. People inside the state know it too now. You owe ME Governor. You ruined , absolutely ruined and destroyed my life. Back to that mercy…. can you please please show some towards me?
Liz Shepherd
Sanfraud attends his own funeral. Gives yet another shoutout apology to freakin’ everyone. He is crying again and get this, he has appointed God as his “Communications Director”.
God is governor of South Carolina.
Mr. Sanford,
Sir, what have you been doing over the last few days? uh uh uh well, I’m on this journey uh uh uh …I’m trying to get my mind right …uh uh uh wait let me finish…
Sir, what journey? uh uh uh …I have struggled with how best to convey my regret in letting so many down and and and it’s going to take a long time to apologize to everyone ..
Sir, what do you regret? uh uh uh …I did wrong and failed at the largest of levels …uh uh uh …but the fact is that God can make good …uh uh uh …
Sir, did you go to a funeral the past weeks? …uh uh uh Yes! Yes I did! …while none of us has the chance to attend our own funeral, in many ways I feel like I was at my own in the past weeks …uh uh uh …wait, let me finish….lifetimes of lessons …lifetimes of lessons learned over the past weeks …yep, I’ve learned lots of lessons …I’ve learned alot …uh uh uh….
Sir, are you concerned about the citizens or the economy of South Carolina? uh uh uh …well, over my life I have not given any thought to either of those issues uh uh uh …actually, I have never thought about the people of South Carolina until now …uh uh uh …but now, I’m thinking about them alot, all of you, everyone of you, I love you so much, God loves you and I love you more …uh uh uh wait, let me finish…
Sir, how do we know that you have truly changed? uh uh uh well, no public apology can make wrong right uh uh uh …but it is on this plane that I’ve grown the most over the past weeks ….to work to becoming a better and more effective leader …uh uh uh …we are all family now, the South Carolina family …I love you man….uh uh uh ….
Sir, what have you done to become a more effective leader? uh uh uh well, I’ve been to my own funeral and really it’s all about the tides …uh uh uh see, my tide is going out right now, so ya’ll need to have love, mercy and walk humbly as I take these baby steps in the next 18 months ….uh uh uh…
Sir, what was your funeral like? uh uh uh well, it was just awful! …it was just awful! uh uh uh …it was just me looking at me …uh uh uh …and you know I realized that I am the governor of South Carolina and I haven’t done anything for the citizens since I’ve been in office except cause grief and corruption uh uh uh …so I asked myself? Self? How am I going to get out of this? uh uh uh …
Sir, how are you going to get the people of South Carolina to forgive and forget all the grief and corruption? uh uh uh well, I know, I have the answer …I hereby pronounce and appoint God as governor of South Carolina …uh uh uh uh …that’s it …God is now Governor! You heard me! God is the Governor of South Carolina …uh uh uh …quite frankly, there is really is no need for me to go to my office at all …uh uh uh wait, let me finish….
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Sanford’s born-again blather
Mark Sanford is born again after viewing his own “funeral” in recent weeks, the wayward South Carolina governor writes in Palmetto State newspapers today.
“It is true that I did wrong and failed at the largest of levels, but equally true is the fact that God can make good of our respective wrongs in life.”
Good Lord. This man is using God for political cover.
His “I did wrong” blather notwithstanding, has he fully accounted yet for all his lies and deceptions? Who should believe anything he says?
“I’ve been humbled and broken as never before in my life, and as a consequence have given up areas of control in a way that I never have before. And it is my belief that this will make me a better father, husband, friend and advocate.
“It’s in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience both to trust God in his larger work of changing me and, from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader.”
Give it up, man. Work out your problems in private. Let the people of South Carolina move on from this embarrassing episode.
“In working with a few alterations to my approach, I think this could be a far more productive last session than the one that would have been had the tragedy that has unfolded not occurred, and in turn, people’s lives can be made better.”
A few alterations? This is delusional.
Looks like the governor’s communications director has had enough.
I doubt he’s the only one.
http://www.news-record.com/blog/54431/entry/64715
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Liz, while I sympathize for your troubles I feel I must correct you in one of your mislead thoughts. You said ” I have lost my right to healthcare”. Only problem is that nobody in America has the RIGHT to free healthcare. It’s just not in the Constitution of this state or any other nor this country’s. So many have gotten this entitlement syndrome. It has spread from just certain minority groups to the mainstream and it us ruining this country. Also, no one has a RIGHT to a house. The state and American Constitution only guarentee the right to the freedom to pursue whatever you wish or buy what you want or be as successful as you want. Don’t blame Governer Sanford for your ignorance.
As for Governer Sanford, I just wanted to say that you broke my heart. Weird coming from a guy, I know, but in this day of political wackos that have no clue as to the Constitution, fiscal responsibility, preciousness of life, responsibility and accountability to the tax payers, it was always refreshing to hear you speak. Though I still agree with your views politically and professionally it has hurt the conservative movement’s credibility. It’s sad that people are more concerned about marital infidelety than the course of actions people in this state and nation are taking that will literally ruin this great nation. It made me sick that people were more concerned about your situation than the vote on cap&trade.
I hope all works out for you and your family. But if you even have an impure thought cross your mind I hope somebody cuts your nuts off and you never speak in public again. This state and this nation is in too vulnerable a position right now for childishness.
E-mails show S.C. governor’s office concerned with image
E-mails released by Gov. Mark Sanford’s office show an administration that is concerned about its image, coordinates its message with a close group of former staffers and is not afraid to play hardball with political opponents.
The documents show the behind-the-scenes workings of a governor who long claimed ideas were more important than politics.
Many of the e-mails contain press clippings. Others discuss which papers Sanford should place opinion pieces in or interviews he should accept. Sanford also frequently asks staff to send him stories or cartoons about him.
In many cases, staff or Sanford discuss ways to respond to media coverage and opinion columns that they disagree with, such as an article critical of Sanford’s record.
In one e-mail, staff members write a response to an article. The e-mail’s title is “Proposed surrogate: Chad Walldorf.” That indicates Sanford’s office wrote the piece for Walldorf, a political ally and former chief of staff, to sign his name to.
FULL STORY:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/841384.html
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please watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqx9ZxnvxSM
please read:
http://www.justlanded.com/english/Argentina/Argentina-Guide/Jobs/Social-Security
http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2004/11/argentina_and_s.html
http://www.ontheissues.org/Trust_Committed.htm
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/02/sanford-on-trust-like-jeffrey-dahmer-writing-a-vegetarian-cookb/
IT IS WORTH EVERY CITIZEN’S TIME TO READ THESE.
GOVERNOR, you may want to read these too. They are about you and what you did to me.
I do expect you to fix all my problems this week. In fact, I demand it. Thank you.
Liz Shepherd.
There’s nothing sinister about Mr. Sanford’s C Street Fellowship. The group just believes that “love thy neighbor” trumps the Ten Commandments if you’re rich, white, male and Republican.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/18/c-street-sex-scandal/
Can you say “zero credibility?” Practice that “verse” several times a day. Then just shut-up with the Bible-thumping and go away.
God Orders Sanford to Stop Putting Words in His Mouth
One day after embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford claimed that God was trying to make him a better person, the Almighty held a rare press conference to demand that Sanford “stop putting words in My mouth.”
For the usually publicity-shy King of the Universe, the press conference held at the Chicago O’Hare Airport Marriott signaled a sharp break with tradition.
But appearing before the press in His trademark flowing robes and white beard, and carrying what appeared to be a lightning bolt, God said that He decided to convene the extraordinary press briefing because “I had to set the record straight about this.”
“At no point did I say that I was trying to make Mark Sanford a better person,” the Almighty told reporters. “And the only time that retard has prayed to Me was last month, when his exact words were, ‘Please don’t let Jenny find out where I really am.’”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/god-orders-sanford-to-sto_b_240046.html
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where no public apology can make wrong right* The Gov
Just shut the F### Up and leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!The State of South Carolina is not the National Inquirer nor does your God own it…
BTW, I’m taking suggestions, via Twitter and Facebook, on what God should change you into. So far I’ve gotten:
1.) mosquito
2.) eunuch
I’ll publish the full list once my significant social networks get back on the Monday morning grid. (I give ‘em the weekend off as a rule.)
It’s OK Mark. Word has it the your old buddy Huckabee is offering a pardon in exchange for another endorsement in 2012. All will be forgiven.
It’s National Enquirer, RM. With an “E.”
He screwed up, unlike members of the other party, he is not blaming someone else, he hasnt gone and attacked the accusers, he hasnt drummed up excuses for his behavior, unlike most he has “manned” up. With so many POS running states in this country Sanford has been a beacon, personal failing aside he has been a great Governor. I hope he can come thru this intact, tanned and rested and ready to get back to it. Id still vote him for POTUS.